Sound Mental Health (SMH) announced that Patrick C. Evans has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Evans, who takes the helm on June 13, will replace Dr. David Stone, who announced his retirement after 26 years of service as CEO.

The SMH Board of Directors made the announcement after a comprehensive national search spanning several months in search of the candidate they believed met SMH’s vision for the future of behavioral health care.

“Patrick’s plan is to build the future on the outstanding work that his predecessor has accomplished,” said Gloria Bernard, SMH Board president. “He has a very clear understanding of today’s complex and rapidly changing health care environment.”

Mr. Evans, who served as President & CEO of Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio, Inc. for the past 14 years, brings an impressive track record of success, vision and business acumen to Sound Mental Health. While at Behavioral Healthcare Partners, for example, he oversaw the merger of behavioral health and substance use organizations, creating an integrated model that improved services and client outcomes.

During Mr. Evans’ administration, Behavioral Healthcare Partners also became one of the first community mental health corporations in Ohio to implement an electronic health record. Likewise, at The Woodlands, a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive prevention and treatment services in Ohio, Mr. Evans more than doubled annual corporate revenue, growing it by 111 percent, increased staff by nearly 50 percent and oversaw a successful capital campaign to build a domestic violence shelter.
As Sound Mental Health continues to strengthen its position as a leading, innovative behavioral health provider viewed as a solid social investment with business partners, Mr. Evans’ experience and track record are both timely and essential.

“I am responsible for developing and maintaining a business model that produces exceptional mission impact and sustained financial health for SMH,” he said. “We must clearly communicate to our community partners our results through data, including financial, clinical, client and staff satisfaction to ensure them that we are a strong and healthy business partner.”

In addition to his day-to-day administrative role at Sound Mental Health, Mr. Evans will empower the organization to create new and innovative programs, strengthen strategic partnerships, promote collaboration with major health systems and oversee the continued integration of behavioral health care.

Dr. Stone, SMH’s retiring CEO, is impressed with Mr. Evans’ qualifications and believes he is the ideal candidate for SMH’s future.

“Sound Mental Health is poised to play a major role in the evolving health care space,” he said. “I believe Patrick’s experience in business and implementing technology infrastructure, coupled with his success in directing program development and fundraising, will ensure that SMH will continue to be a key player in the years to come.”

In 2014, Mr. Evans was one of only 22 leaders selected for participation in the prestigious Executive Leadership Program coordinated by the National Council for Behavioral Health.